What to Tell Your Clients About the Rumor of Ice Water & Dogs

An old Internet rumor resurfaces and has dog owners wondering: Is ice bad for dogs? Here's what to tell your clients regarding this rumor.

By Nicole Sipe

Published: 2014.07.09 02:37 PM

National Weather Station

Have you been getting a lot of questions from clients and friends asking if ice water is lethal to dogs? It’s a rumor that’s circulating the Internet and worrying dog owners.

The cautionary tale (titled "NO ICE WATER FOR DOGS...PLEASE READ ASAP”) was written in 2010, but the rumor has been circulating since 2007. It centers on a dog named Baran, and his owner who unthinkingly added ice cubes to the dog’s water bowl to help him cool off on a hot day. Shortly after, Baran appears to be in distress and is rushed to the animal hospital. The veterinarian tells the owner that the ice water caused the dog to experience violent muscle spasms in his stomach, which led to bloating. Bloat — also known as gastric dilation-volvulus—is a life-threatening condition in dogs.

If worried clients come to you about this myth, take the time to educate them about the dangers of ice, heat stroke and bloating.

What To Tell Your Clients About Ice

Although eating ice technically is safe for dogs, ensure owners are aware that eating ice can pose a few dangers. Dogs that munch on ice can potentially damage or break their teeth, or the ice could possibly become lodged in the dog’s throat. Supervision is required whenever ice is given to a dog.

What To Tell Your Clients About Heat Stroke In Dogs

Offer tips on how to treat heat stroke in dogs. Veterinarian John Geller tells his client this:

If a dog becomes overheated, it's important to cool your dog off gradually

Dog owners should initially use a wet towel to cool off any dog suspected of heat stroke or overheating, and then gently mist them off (do not spray them or submerse them in water)

A fan can be used to help increase evaporative cooling, and the dog can lay on a cool floor surface.

Once the body temperature is gradually reduced to 103 F, further cooling efforts are not necessary. If a dog is cooled off too quickly, they can go into shock and organ failure.

What To Tell Your Clients About Bloat In Dogs

While the cause is unknown, rapid eating, eating only one large meal daily, a dry-food-only diet, overeating, over-drinking, heavy exercise right after eating, a fearful temperament, stress, trauma and abnormal gastric mobility are all risk factors.

Tell dog owners to feed several small meals per day, don’t let your dog drink lots of water all at once, and restrict heavy exercise for about an hour after mealtimes.